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Desmond Howard says if Michigan wins OSU 'may go over there to FOX and snatch Urban Meyer'

colin gay, the columbus dispatch
·4 min read
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Former Michigan wide receiver and Heisman Trophy winner Desmond Howard feels Ohio State football coach Ryan Day has a lot on the line against the Wolverines.

Despite Day's success since taking over the football program in 2019, Howard, on ESPN's "College GameDay," said that if the Buckeyes fall short at home against Michigan, fans will "go against you."

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That's when Howard brought up a familiar name that is on the other side of Ohio Stadium with FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff" pregame show.

"When you put so much effort, so much attention, (there's) so much at stake in this game, and you come up short again, especially in The Shoe, that's when your fan base, they go against you," Howard said. "This media down here, man, they can be treacherous. You got to watch the emphasis you put on a game like this. Because if you stumble and lose... things will get hot. They may go over there to FOX and snatch Urban Meyer."

To former Ohio State quarterback and ESPN Kirk Herbstreit, that kind of thinking is "embarrassing," pointing to the multiple College Football Playoff appearances the Buckeyes have gone to with only four losses to Clemson, Alabama, Oregon and Michigan.

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"What are we even talking about?" Herbstreit asked. "If he wins this game, great, we'll celebrate Ryan Day and Ohio State. But if he loses, you wake up tomorrow, you're disappointed, your heart's ripped out. But Ryan Day is still a great coach.

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"I don't look at this like 'He has to win this game or you're going to do some talking to this guy, get this thing right.' Screw that. That's embarrassing."

Former Indianapolis Colts punter and ESPN "College GameDay" analyst Pat McAfee said Day has been "nothing short of successful," saying the Michigan game is likely all that the Ohio State coach has been thinking about.

"I'd assume that this is a big-time day for Ryan," McAfee said. "And if they get a win, he's going to have some cold beers and celebrate.

Ohio State has not lost at home against Michigan since 2000.

The Buckeyes will kick off against Michigan at noon Saturday on FOX.

College football rankings 2022

Here's a look at the College Football Playoff's fourth ranking of the 2022 season.

  1. Georgia (11-0)

  2. Ohio State (11-0)

  3. Michigan (11-0)

  4. TCU (11-0)

  5. LSU (9-2)

  6. USC (10-1)

  7. Alabama (9-2)

  8. Clemson (10-1)

  9. Oregon (9-2)

  10. Tennessee (9-2)

  11. Penn State (9-2)

  12. Kansas State (8-3)

  13. Washington (9-2)

  14. Utah (8-3)

  15. Notre Dame 8-3)

  16. Florida State (8-3)

  17. North Carolina (9-2)

  18. UCLA (8-3)

  19. Tulane (9-2)

  20. Ole Miss (8-3)

  21. Oregon State (8-3)

  22. UCF (8-3)

  23. Texas (7-4)

  24. Cincinnati (9-2)

  25. Louisville (7-4)

Ohio State football's 2022 schedule

Michigan football's 2022 schedule

  • Sept. 3: Michigan 51, Colorado State 7

  • Sept. 10: Michigan 56, Hawaii 10

  • Sept. 17: Michigan 59, UConn 0

  • Sept. 24: Michigan 34, Maryland 27

  • Oct. 1: Michigan 27, Iowa 14

  • Oct. 8: Michigan 31, Indiana 10

  • Oct. 15: Michigan 41, Penn State 17

  • Oct. 29: Michigan 29, Michigan State 7

  • Nov. 5: Michigan 52, Rutgers 17

  • Nov. 12: Michigan 34, Nebraska 3

  • Nov. 19: Michigan 19, Illinois 17

  • Nov. 26: Michigan vs. Ohio State, Columbus, Ohio, noon

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Desmond Howard says Ryan Day's job in question if OSU loses to U of M